Keeping your electricity bill under control is usually easier said than done. Fortunately, innovative technologies have made managing your home’s energy usage simpler than ever. We take a look at some of the best gadgets to help you save power in the home and slash those bills with minimal effort.
If there’s just one gadget you’ve been dying to hear about, feel free to click on the tab below and skip ahead. Otherwise, keep scrolling for the full list.
The five best energy efficient gadgets:
1. Smart power boards
One of the best gadgets to save power in the home is a smart power board. These boards function similarly to standard multi-boards, allowing users to make the most of limited power sockets. The difference is that smart power boards are able to measure the electricity flow from each outlet, allowing it to detect when devices are in use and when they are in standby mode. When the smart power board recognises a device on standby mode, it will cut the flow of electricity to that particular device without compromising energy flow to other connected electronics. The board can also recognise when you’re trying to turn a device back on and will recommence energy flow immediately.
Smart power boards are becoming increasing popular as a means to save energy, particularly when it comes to standby power in the home. Using a smart power board may be extremely useful when it comes to things like home entertainment systems, which tend to have multiple electronics powered by one board.
How much is leaving your appliances on standby costing you each year? Find out in Canstar Blue’s standby power cost analysis.
2. Smart glass
Smart glass is another energy efficient gadget worth setting up in your home. Also known as privacy glass, smart glass uses electro chromatic technology to tint glass when an electric current is applied, letting you remotely tint and untint your windows when it suits. This is similar to transition lenses in your glasses, but controllable with your phone!
It’s been known for some time that tinting windows helps cut cooling costs by keeping the heat out, but now you have the ability to let heat in on a cold day by removing the tint with a few swipes on a smartphone.
3. Electricity usage monitors
Electricity usage monitors are savvy, generally in-expensive gadgets that help to keep track of energy efficiency in the home. These devices allow bill-payers to identify areas of inefficient energy usage (e.g. standby power), minimise their peak demand energy usage, monitor the health of their solar systems, and provide insights into how to improve a home’s energy efficiency.
Some systems even go one step further and automatically control the source of your home’s energy. This could be from drawing electricity from a stored solar energy source during peak periods, or staying on the grid during cheaper off-peak periods. Some of the different kinds of power usage monitors available in Australia include wireless, online, solar and 3-phase power models.
Most electricity and solar retailers even offer a range of internal apps and systems which let you use your phone, tablet or computer to track power usage too.
Stay ahead of high power bills! See if you could be paying less for power with one of these cheap plans
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
4. Solar batteries
Next on the list of energy efficient gadgets is solar batteries. Solar storage technology allows users to store unused energy generated by the home’s solar panels for use later on, rather than letting it go to waste. There are a number of storage systems available in Australia, though the range of products is only expected to grow in the coming years. Some of the top companies currently in the market however include Tesla, sonnen, LG, RedFlow, BYD and Enphase.
Find out more about Australia’s solar battery scene with Canstar Blue’s guide to the best solar batteries for your home.
Advertisement
5. Smart lights
Another energy efficient product for the home that’s worth having is smart lighting. Most of us know that incandescent bulbs are energy wasters and while many have switched over to LED or fluorescent lighting to save money, what we might not have considered is smart lighting. With this technology you are able to control switches from anywhere with smartphone apps. This helps ensure that a light is never left on when you’re not in the room. While a light bulb doesn’t in itself use that much electricity, the savings from switching off certainly add up.
See what your home lighting situation could be costing you each year with Canstar Blue’s lighting cost analysis.
What do I need to consider with energy efficient gadgets?
The most important thing you need to consider with energy-saving gadgets is the initial cost of purchasing the technology itself. While they can potentially help you save on your power bill, the upfront cost of these appliances can be prohibitive. This means that it will take some time to recoup the cost of buying the product.
Appliances like smart power boards are relatively low cost, however even with the cheaper smart power boards in market, it will still take time to recoup the costs. Other appliances which require integration can cost thousands and take years or decades to recoup the costs.
The costs of some of the above technologies are a turn off for many Australians, but the long term savings might be worth your while. Weigh up the considerations and see if investing in energy efficient products is right for you.
Image credits: Audio und werbung/Shutterstock.com, RossHelen/Shutterstock.com.
Share this article